Police identify man sought in Wells Fargo robbery

This surveillance image released by the Ocala Police Department shows the man who robbed the Wells Fargo bank at 3201 SW College Road on March 13. OPD officials say Kevin Cotterman, 42, inset photo, is a suspect in the case.

Published: Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 5:56 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 5:56 p.m.

Ocala police detectives have released the name of a man accused of robbing a Wells Fargo bank last week.

The man, Kevin Lee Cotterman, is not only wanted by police for the city robbery, he's also a suspect in several other bank robberies and attempted bank robberies, officials said.

Detectives said Cotterman did not display a weapon in any of the incidents that have occurred in Apopka, DeLand, Palm Coast, Flagler County and Jacksonville.

If captured, he faces charges of strong arm robbery and felony fleeing and eluding.

Authorities said the man entered Wells Fargo at 3201 SW College Road last week and handed a teller a note demanding cash. He did not display a weapon. After obtaining the money, he left the building and got into a blue 2013 rental Chevy Impala and left the area.

Detectives said the suspect took the note with him.

Officer Brennan Grady saw the car as it headed toward Interstate 75 and pursued the vehicle. The chase went onto I-75 with speeds reaching approximately 140 mph. Officials abandoned the chase as the car entered Lake County and authorities there were notified.

Detectives said that, from their investigation, they developed Cotterman as a suspect. Cotterman, they said, was successful in committing several bank robberies and wasn't successful in others.

The robberies, officials said, occurred between May 2012 to March 13, 2013. In one instance, authorities said, he robbed two banks in Jacksonville on the same day.

Cotterman is scheduled to be in court on April 9 in Flagler County for sentencing in a robbery there.

Detectives believe Cotterman, who state records show served time in prison for robbery and has been released since December 2011, may be in hiding in the Orlando area.

Anyone with any information about Cotterman's whereabouts can call Detective Miguel Gauthier at 369-7143, Crime Line at 369-7061 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com or text "ocalapd" and a tip to TIP411.

<p>Ocala police detectives have released the name of a man accused of robbing a Wells Fargo bank last week.</p><p>The man, Kevin Lee Cotterman, is not only wanted by police for the city robbery, he's also a suspect in several other bank robberies and attempted bank robberies, officials said.</p><p>Detectives said Cotterman did not display a weapon in any of the incidents that have occurred in Apopka, DeLand, Palm Coast, Flagler County and Jacksonville.</p><p>If captured, he faces charges of strong arm robbery and felony fleeing and eluding.</p><p>Authorities said the man entered Wells Fargo at 3201 SW College Road last week and handed a teller a note demanding cash. He did not display a weapon. After obtaining the money, he left the building and got into a blue 2013 rental Chevy Impala and left the area.</p><p>Detectives said the suspect took the note with him.</p><p>Officer Brennan Grady saw the car as it headed toward Interstate 75 and pursued the vehicle. The chase went onto I-75 with speeds reaching approximately 140 mph. Officials abandoned the chase as the car entered Lake County and authorities there were notified.</p><p>Detectives said that, from their investigation, they developed Cotterman as a suspect. Cotterman, they said, was successful in committing several bank robberies and wasn't successful in others.</p><p>The robberies, officials said, occurred between May 2012 to March 13, 2013. In one instance, authorities said, he robbed two banks in Jacksonville on the same day.</p><p>Cotterman is scheduled to be in court on April 9 in Flagler County for sentencing in a robbery there.</p><p>Detectives believe Cotterman, who state records show served time in prison for robbery and has been released since December 2011, may be in hiding in the Orlando area.</p><p>Anyone with any information about Cotterman's whereabouts can call Detective Miguel Gauthier at 369-7143, Crime Line at 369-7061 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com or text "ocalapd" and a tip to TIP411.</p>